Display plaque including three dimensional objects

ABSTRACT

A display plaque includes a panel, a three dimensional object, and a plate where the three dimensional object is attached to the panel and the plate has an opening sized to allow the plate to be placed over the three dimensional object so as to create a narrow gap between the edge of the opening of the plate and the perimeter lower wall of the three dimensional object. The plate is placed over the three dimensional object and attached to the panel to create the display plaque. The three dimensional object can be a motorcycle gas tank cut along its length and attached to the panel using a flange that fits within a recess cut in the panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to display plaques that include three dimensional objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a display plaque comprising a panel having a front surface and at least one recess in the front surface; a three dimensional object including at least one flange received within the at least one recess, and a primary plate mounted to the front surface of the panel and having an opening through which the three dimensional object extends. The opening in the primary plate may be sized and shaped to closely follow the contours of the effective perimeter at which the three dimensional object intersects the front surface of the panel. The three dimensional object may include, for example, a motorcycle gas tank or a portion of a motorcycle gas tank. The flange or the recess or both may be substantially entirely covered by the primary plate or by the three dimensional object. The flange may be trapped between the primary plate and the panel to secure the three dimensional object to the panel. The plaque may also include an alignment tool adapted to be temporarily mounted to the panel and to define a desired mounting point aligned in a selected manner with the primary plate, and also include an additional plate having a portion received by the alignment tool to position the additional plate in the desired mounting point.

The invention also provides a method of producing a display plaque, the method comprising: providing a panel having at least one recess; providing a three dimensional object having at least one flange; positioning the at least one flange in the at least one recess of the panel; providing a primary plate having an opening sized to permit a portion of the three dimensional object to extend through the opening; mounting the primary plate to the panel with a portion of the three dimensional object extending through the opening; and hiding the at least one flange from view with one of the three dimensional object and the primary plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an inventive display plaque;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a primary decorative plate used with the inventive display plaque;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a panel that is part of the inventive display plaque;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an additional decorative plate that is used with the inventive display plaque;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the inventive display plaque showing separate elements arranged for assembly;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the inventive display plaque after assembly;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the inventive display plaque showing an additional plate being aligned with the plaque using an alignment tool;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alignment tool;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a second alignment tool;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a third alignment tool;

FIG. 11 is a section view of the display plaque showing an alignment tool to align and attach an additional decorative plate;

FIG. 12 is a section view showing another configuration of an assembly flange; and

FIG. 13 is a section view showing another configuration of an assembly flange.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows display plaque 100. Display plaque 100 is composed of panel 110 which has a generally flat front surface 112 and back surface 114 (FIGS. 5 and 6). Panel 110 can be made of wood, plastic, metal, a composition wood product board (for example MDF or plywood), or other suitable material. Panel 110 may have a decorative or molded edge 116 around the perimeter edges.

Attached to panel 110 is a three dimensional object. In the illustrated embodiment, the three dimensional object is a conventional teardrop motorcycle gas tank 120 cut along its length, but in other embodiments, the three dimensional object may be substantially anything. When cut, gas tank 120 may be, for example, about 12″ to 20″ long and about 6″ to 12″ high. When attached to panel 110, gas tank 120 will project out from the front surface 112 by about 5″ to 12″. Gas tank 120 frequently will be painted distinctively and can include text or graphic image 122, for example including a motor cycle company logo. Gas tank 120 includes an interior surface spaced away from the front surface 112 of the panel 110, and an interior space 124 (see FIG. 3) is defined between the interior surface of the gas tank 120 and the front surface 112 of the panel 110. Although the illustrated gas tank 120 is cut along a vertical plane of symmetry that contains the longitudinal axis of the gas tank 120, tanks or other three dimensional objects that are cut along other planes may be used in the present invention. For example, three dimensional objects cut along a horizontal plane of symmetry, along a plane that is perpendicular to the object's longitudinal axis, along a plane that does not include the object's longitudinal axis, or along a plane that does not even intersect the object's longitudinal axis could be used in place of the illustrated gas tank 120.

While motorcycle gas tanks are frequently made of metal, gas tank 120 may be a plastic reproduction of a portion of motorcycle gas tank, for example a vacuum formed plastic reproduction similar a motorcycle gas tank cut along its length. When properly molded such a reproduction can have the same shape, color, and graphics as an original motorcycle gas tank 120, and obviate the need to actually cut a metal tank or to handle exposed metal edges. Such reproductions are also be referred to herein as gas tanks 120.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, perimeter lower wall 126 is generally the portion of gas tank 120 adjacent to panel 110, where gas tank 120 projects away from panel 110. The intersection between the plane of the front surface 112 of the panel 110 and the perimeter lower wall 126 of the gas tank 120 is referred to herein as the effective perimeter. Gas tank 120 has projecting flange 128, which may be a single continuous flange or a series of flanges around the perimeter of gas tank 120. The flange 128 may be integral with the gas tank 120 or may be separately made and joined to the gas tank 120. Flange 128 is shown as perpendicular to and projecting outward away from the perimeter lower wall 126 of gas tank 120 in the plane of panel 110. The flange 128 and free edge of the gas tank 120 are attached to panel 110 in any convenient manner, for example using a connector such as adhesives, glues, friction or interference fitting, staples, screws, nails, Velcro® like fasteners, or other mechanisms.

Decorative plate 130 is also attached to front surface 112. Plate 130 has a generally flat front surface 132 and rear surface 134. Plate 130 can be made of metal, plastic, wood, fiberglass, carbon fibers, or other suitable material. Typically, plate 130 will be relatively thin, often less than ¼″, but it can be thicker. In this case plate 130 will be substantially thinner than the projection of gas tank 120 from front surface 112. Front surface 132 of plate 130 can be painted, etched, machine turned or otherwise decorated as desired. In some cases text, graphic image or marking 136 (for example including a motorcycle company logo) is printed, infused, etched, or inscribed on front surface 132.

Plate 130 has opening 138 that is sized to match the perimeter of gas tank 120 so it can pass through opening 138 when plate 130 is attached to panel 110 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In some cases opening is sized so that gas tank 120 can pass thru opening 138 except for flange 128. To create a finished appearance, opening 138 can be sized and shaped to closely follow substantially all contours of the effective perimeter, but be slightly larger than the effective perimeter to ensure that the gas tank 120 will fit within the opening 138. In other words, a narrow gap 139 is created between perimeter lower wall 126 and the edge of opening 138. The gap 139 can, for example, be held within ⅜″ or less on any side of gas tank 120. In this configuration plate 130 covers a portion of flange 128 as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Additional decorative plate 140 can also be provided and attached to front surface 112. As with plate 130, plate 140 has a generally flat front surface 142 and rear surface 144 (see FIG. 11). Plate 140 can be made of metal, plastic, wood, fiberglass, carbon fibers, or other suitable material. Typically, plate 140 will be relatively thin, often less than ¼″, but it can be thicker. Plate 140 will be substantially thinner than the projection of gas tank 120 from front surface 112. Plate 140 can be painted, etched, machine turned or otherwise decorated as desired. Text, graphic image, or marking 146 (for example a company logo) is printed, infused, etched, or inscribed on plate 140.

Typically, one or more additional plates 140 are purchased with display plaque 100. For example the purchaser may be given a standard plate and another suitable for customization with personal text, graphics, or marking 148. The purchaser may choose to mount additional plate 140 without modification or the purchaser can have additional plate 140 printed, infused, etched, inscribed, or otherwise decorated as they choose with additional text, images or marking 148. The purchaser then mounts additional plate 140 to surface 112, as described below.

FIG. 3 shows panel 110 without gas tank 120, plate 130, or plate 140. Now visible are flange recess 150, optional plate alignment holes 152 and optional additional decorative plate recess 154, and optional additional decorative plate alignment holes 156.

Flange recess 150 is used to assist with the mounting of gas tank 120 to panel 110. Flange recess 150 and flange 128 are designed so that when gas tank 120 is aligned with front surface 112 flange 128 fits within flange recess 150. Flange 128 can be attached to panel 110 with connector such as an adhesive or glue (not shown) or with one or more connectors 166, such as nails, screws, or staples penetrating flange 128 and panel 110.

In other constructions, flange 128 can project toward the center of gas tank 120 (see FIG. 13) and in some cases flange 128 is a continuation of perimeter lower wall 126 (see FIG. 12), in that case flange recess 150 will appear as a narrow slot to receive this type flange.

After attaching gas tank 120 to front surface 112, decorative plate 130 is attached to front surface 112 of panel 110. As previously described, plate 130 has opening 138, designed so plate 130 can pass over gas tank 120. Plate 130 is can be attached to panel 110 by connectors 170, such as nails, tacks, screws, or bolts. To facilitate the use of connectors 166, plate 130 can be drilled with connector holes 172 to match alignment holes 152 of panel 110. Opening 138 is sized to plate 130 covers connectors 166 from view.

In other constructions, plate 130 can be attached using a connector such as glue or adhesive 176 applied to the rear surface 134 of plate 130. When plate 130 is pressed into contact with front surface 112, adhesive 176 attaches them together. When flange 128 projects away from gas tank 120, adhesive 176 can also be used to attach flange 128 of gas tank 120 to plate 130 and thereby mount or attach gas tank 120 to panel 110.

In some cases gas tank 120 is attached to panel 110 simply by fitting flange 128 in recess 150 and attaching plate 130 to panel 110 using connectors 170 or adhesive 176. In this construction, the flange 128 is trapped within the recess 150 between the plate 130 and the panel 110, and the plate 130 acts as a connector for the gas tank 120.

Additional plate 140 is provided to the purchaser of plaque 100 and is unmounted or unattached to panel 110 (e.g., the three dimensional display may be sold as a kit with the additional plate 140 provided as an add-on for the purchaser). The purchaser may have a choice of additional plates 140 to use or may use none. Some additional plates 140 can be preprinted with a standard message or marking 146, while others may have a printed message or marking 146 and room for a custom message or marking 148 to be printed on it.

To facilitate the purchaser in attaching the additional plate 140 to the plaque 100 in a professional-looking manner, an alignment tool can be provided to the purchaser (e.g., as part of the aforementioned kit). In one embodiment, predrilled alignment holes 156 in panel 110 that match drilled holes 180 in additional plate 140 (see FIG. 4) can be used as an alignment tool. Connectors 182, such as nails, screws, or bolts, can be used when holes 156 and 180 are aligned to secure plate 140 to panel 110.

In other constructions, plate recess 154 can be provided as an alignment tool. Plate recess 154 is slightly larger than the plate 140 so that plate 140 is snugly received within the plate recess 154. Plate recess 154 may be a shallow recess, typically less than or equal to the thickness of plate 140. A purchaser positions plate 140 within in plate recess 154 ensuring that plate 140 is properly positioned or aligned on panel 110 and so rear surface 144 is adjacent to front surface 112. When holes 180 are provided, but holes 156 are not, the purchaser can use holes 180 to mark where holes 156 are to be drilled or use holes 180 to determine where connectors 182 are to be placed.

When adhesive 186 (see FIG. 11) is applied to rear surface 144 of additional plate 140, connectors 182 are not needed. Instead when adhesive 186 is exposed, plate 140 can be carefully positioned so one edge (for example top edge 199) is resting against a corresponding edge of plate recess 154 and plate 140 is then dropped or lowered into plate recess 154, and so rear surface 144 is adjacent to front surface 112 and allowing adhesive 186 to attach rear surface 144 to front surface 112.

When holes 156 and plate recess 150 are not provided and adhesive 186 is applied to rear surface 144, the purchaser can be provided with alignment tool 190 to ensure that plate 140 is properly positioned. In one embodiment, alignment tool 190 is a disposable piece of card stock, plastic, cardboard, or other material of suitable thickness (for example at least 1/16″) and stiffness (for example so that it doesn't easily bend). As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, alignment tool 190 is placed by a purchaser so top edge 191 is aligned with a specific edge of plate 130, for example lower edge 195. One or both ends of alignment tool 190 are also aligned with the extreme perpendicular edges of plate 140, for example left edge 196 of alignment tool 190 is aligned with left edge 198 of plate 140. To keep alignment tool 190 from moving gravity or finger pressure can be applied to it. Tape 192 can be used to temporarily attach alignment tool 190 to plate 130 or to panel 110. Plate 140 is then positioned so that top edge 199 is resting against edge 193 of alignment tool 190 (see FIG. 11). Plate 140 is then rotated or dropped down so rear surface 144 is adjacent to front surface 112 and allowing adhesive 186 to make contact with front surface 112. Plate 140 is thereby connected to panel 110. When plate 140 is attached to panel 110, alignment tool 190 and tape 192 (when used) are removed revealing completed plaque as shown in FIG. 1.

In other embodiments, alignment tool 190 can take a number of different configurations as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. As shown in FIG. 9, alignment tool 190 is designed so left edge 196 is aligned with left edge 198 of plate 130 and top edge 191 of alignment tool 190 is aligned with lower edge 195 of plate 130. Alignment tool 190 can then be taped to plate 130 with tape 192. When this is done top edge 199 of additional plate 140 is pressed against edge 193 and additional plate 140 is then rotated or dropped down and so rear surface 144 is adjacent to front surface 112 and adhesive 186 makes contact with front surface 112. Plate 140 thereby is connected to panel 110 and aligned in a predetermined position specified by plate 130 and alignment tool 190.

As shown in FIG. 10, alignment marker 194 can be printed on alignment tool 190. Alignment tool 190 is designed so left edge 196 is aligned with left edge 198 of plate 130 and top edge 191 of alignment tool 190 is aligned with lower edge 195 of plate 130. Alignment tool 190 can then be taped to plate 130 with tape 192. Plate 140 is then positioned so that the left edge of plate 140 is aligned with marker 194 and top edge 199 of plate 140 is resting against edge 193 of alignment tool 190. Again, when plate 140 is attached to panel 110, alignment tool 190 and tape 192 (when used) are removed revealing completed plaque as shown in FIG. 1.

In all of these embodiments, the purchaser is provided with a convenient alignment process to ensure that additional plate 140 is properly aligned and attached to panel 110. It is anticipated that other designs of alignment tool 190 can be used or other alignment tools besides recess 154 or holes 156 can be used. Furthermore, it is anticipated that alignment tool 190 can be aligned with a specific part of panel 110 instead of plate 130. Alignment tool 190 can be oriented so that plate 140 is to the left, top, right, or other desirable position relative to panel 110 or plate 130, even including being placed over plate 130. So the specified edges that are aligned between alignment tool 190 and plates 130 and 140 do not have to follow the specific references listed above. 

1. A display plaque comprising: a. a panel having a front surface and at least one recess in the front surface; b. a three dimensional object including at least one flange received within the at least one recess; and c. a primary plate mounted to the front surface of the panel to cover at least a portion of the at least one recess and having an opening through which the three dimensional object extends.
 2. The display plaque of claim 1, wherein the intersection of the three dimensional object and the front surface of the panel defines an effective perimeter; wherein the opening in the primary plate follows substantially all contours of the effective perimeter and is of a size slightly larger than the effective perimeter; and wherein primary plate covers substantially all of the at least one flange.
 3. The display plaque of claim 1, wherein the opening includes an edge that substantially completely surrounds the three dimensional object, and wherein the spacing between the edge and the three dimensional object does not exceed about ⅜ of an inch.
 4. The display of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange is mounted to the panel by being trapped within the at least one recess by the primary plate.
 5. The display plaque of claim 1, wherein the three dimensional object has a length of at least 12 inches, a height of at least 6 inches, and protrudes at least 5 inches from the front surface of the panel.
 6. The display plaque of claim 1, wherein the three dimensional object includes a portion of a motorcycle gas tank.
 7. The display plaque of claim 1, wherein the three dimensional object includes a portion of a motorcycle gas tank cut away along a plane of symmetry.
 8. A display plaque comprising: a. a panel having a front surface and at least one recess in the front surface; b. a three dimensional object including at least one flange received within the at least one recess; and c. a primary plate mounted to the front surface of the panel and having an opening through which the three dimensional object extends.
 9. The display plaque of claim 8, wherein the intersection of the three dimensional object and the front surface of the panel defines an effective perimeter; wherein the opening in the primary plate follows substantially all contours of the effective perimeter and is of a size slightly larger than the effective perimeter.
 10. The display plaque of claim 8, wherein the opening includes an edge that substantially completely surrounds the three dimensional object, and wherein the spacing between the edge and the three dimensional object does not exceed about ⅜ of an inch.
 11. The display plaque of claim 8, wherein the three dimensional object has a length of at least 12 inches, a height of at least 6 inches, and protrudes at least 5 inches from the front surface of the panel.
 12. The display plaque of claim 8, wherein the three dimensional object includes a portion of a motorcycle gas tank.
 13. The display plaque of claim 8, wherein the three dimensional object includes a portion of a motorcycle gas tank cut away along a plane of symmetry.
 14. The display plaque of claim 8, further comprising an alignment tool adapted to be temporarily mounted to the panel and to define a desired mounting point aligned in a selected manner with the primary plate; and an additional plate having a portion received by the alignment tool to position the additional plate in the desired mounting point.
 15. A method of producing a display plaque, the method comprising: a. providing a panel having at least one recess; b. providing a three dimensional object having at least one flange; c. positioning the at least one flange in the at least one recess of the panel; d. providing a primary plate having an opening sized to permit a portion of the three dimensional object to extend through the opening; e. mounting the primary plate to the panel with a portion of the three dimensional object extending through the opening; and f. hiding the at least one flange from view with one of the three dimensional object and the primary plate.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising mounting the flange to the panel with a connector prior to step (e).
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein step (e) includes covering at least a portion of the at least one recess with the primary plate; and wherein step (f) includes hiding substantially all of the at least one flange with the primary plate.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising defining an effective perimeter at the intersection of the three dimensional object and a surface of the panel; wherein step (d) includes forming the opening to have an edge that follows substantially all contours of the effective perimeter; and wherein step (e) includes positioning the opening around the three dimensional object such that the edge of the opening is spaced not more than ⅜ of an inch from the three dimensional object.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a secondary plaque; providing an alignment tool; temporarily affixing the alignment tool to the panel; at least partially positioning the secondary plaque within a portion of the alignment tool; mounting the secondary plaque to the panel; and removing the alignment tool from the panel.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein step (b) includes providing a portion of a motorcycle gas tank. 